Showing papers by "Northampton Community College published in 2018"
72 citations
TL;DR: The authors make an argument for why thinking critically about neoliberalism is important for media and communication studies, and make a case for expanding our theoretical and conceptual vocabulary in order to foreground the relationship between neoliberalism, media and subjectivity in the maintenance of continuing inequalities.
Abstract: In this paper we make an argument for why thinking critically about neoliberalism is important for media and communication studies. We advance a case for a critical media analysis that will take seriously the affective and psychic life of neoliberalism as an increasingly central means of governing and producing people’s desires, attachments, and modes of “getting by.” To illustrate our broader theoretical argument, we will discuss the contradictory neoliberal regulation of affective dispositions for women, which prescribe confidence or alternatively, the pleasing, lighthearted readiness to “not take the self too seriously.” We make a case for expanding our theoretical and conceptual vocabulary in order to foreground the relationship between neoliberalism, media and subjectivity in the maintenance of continuing inequalities.
69 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore how different religious traditions influence small business activity in U.S. counties and find that communities with a large concentration of religious congregations have a correspondingly higher level of business activity.
Abstract: Within the theoretical framework of social capital, we explore how different religious traditions influence small business activity in U.S. counties. We motivate the analysis by emphasizing the ways in which religious organizations may facilitate social capital, a key factor in business formation and performance. We find that communities with a large concentration of religious congregations have a correspondingly higher level of small business activity. We also find important differences across religious traditions, suggesting that religion should not be treated as a monolithic dimension of social capital. In addition, by exploring different traditions, beliefs, and norms, proxied by religion, finer insights into social capital and community economic development can be gained.
40 citations
01 Jan 2018
TL;DR: In this article, a conceptual framework that classifies individual and household behaviors by their potential to reasonably achieve emissions reductions is presented, along with a review of available evidence regarding the determinants of those behaviors, identifying gaps in research efforts to date.
Abstract: In this chapter, we seek to answer two questions: What does psychology know about encouraging individual and household behaviors to limit climate change, and where can psychology contribute most to climate change mitigation through future research? We argue that to meet climate change mitigation targets, psychologists need to look beyond the behaviors they have typically studied—frequent curtailment behaviors that are easy to measure—and focus on actions that have a greater impact over the long term. To guide these efforts, we present a conceptual framework that classifies individual and household behaviors by their potential to reasonably achieve emissions reductions. We then review available evidence regarding the determinants of those behaviors, identify gaps in research efforts to date, and conclude by pointing to more productive research directions for psychologists working in this area.
35 citations
TL;DR: The molecular basis for the central nervous system neuropathic diseases that are associated with both Type 1 DM and Type 2 DM (T2DM), but more so with T2DM is described.
Abstract: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common diseases in the world population, associated with obesity, pancreatic endocrine changes, cardiovascular disease, renal glomerular disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, neurodegenerative disease, retinal disease, sleep apnea, some of which are bundled into the metabolic syndrome. The main characteristic of this disease is hyperglycemia, and often with albuminuria. Nevertheless, the classic features, with ketoacidosis in the extreme, are only a first layer of description of this condition. The description of the islet cells of the endocrine pancreas was first described by Opie, and the discovery of insulin by tying off the exocrine pancreatic ducts followed. We later find that the β-cells secrete insulin and glucagon, which synchronously stimulate or suppress glycogenolysis, and that insulin is essential for glucose intake into the cell. There are yet two other layers for our understanding of diabetes and the effects of its dysfunction, which is the basis for understanding the system-wide expression of the disease. We describe the molecular basis for the central nervous system neuropathic diseases that are associated with both Type 1 DM (T1DM) and Type 2 DM (T2DM), but more so with T2DM. T2DM is an autoimmune disease that destroys the insulin secreting islet cells. T2DM is the diabetes that is associated with an imbalance in the glucagon/insulin homeostasis that leads to the formation of amyloid deposits in the brain, pancreatic islet cells, and possibly the kidney glomerulus.
34 citations
TL;DR: It is indicated that ITP can contribute to positive outcomes for young people who require intensification of treatment, and the published literature concerning day programs for adolescents with a diagnosis of an eating disorder is compared.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE Family Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa (FT-AN) is the first line treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa in the UK. However, research suggests between 10 and 40% of young people have a poor outcome. For those for whom FT-AN alone is not effective there is a clear need to develop additional treatments. This paper describes the effectiveness of an additional treatment for adolescents who had not responded to FT-AN, the Intensive Day Treatment Program (ITP) embedded within a comprehensive outpatient service at the Maudsley Hospital. METHOD Data from a retrospective chart review of patient files were analyzed for 105 young people aged 11-18 with restrictive eating disorders referred to the program in the first four and a half years of its operation. RESULTS Young people attended ITP for only on average 28.41 days. Over this time they made significant improvements in a range of domains, including weight gain, eating disorder symptomatology, motivation to recover, quality of life and comorbid symptomatology. Young people continued to make improvements post ITP in outpatient treatment provided by the same service and 73.2% had a good or an intermediate outcome at the point of discharge from the service. DISCUSSION This uncontrolled case series indicates that ITP can contribute to positive outcomes for young people who require intensification of treatment. ITP outcomes are discussed in comparison to the published literature concerning day programs for adolescents with a diagnosis of an eating disorder.
30 citations
TL;DR: The characteristics of withdrawal associated with SSRIs and SNRIs, including time of onset, duration and nature of symptoms, were compared to help people with antidepressant withdrawal.
Abstract: Background Antidepressant withdrawal symptoms are well-recognised, but their potential duration remains uncertain. Objective We aimed to describe the characteristics of withdrawal associated with two popular classes of antidepressants, including duration. Methods We analysed the content of a sample of posts on an antidepressant withdrawal website. We compared the characteristics of withdrawal associated with SSRIs and SNRIs, including time of onset, duration and nature of symptoms. Results 110 posts about SSRI withdrawal, and 63 concerning SNRI withdrawal, were analysed. The mean duration of withdrawal symptoms was significantly longer with SSRIs than SNRIs: 90.5 weeks (standard deviation, SD, 150.0) and 50.8 weeks (SD 76.0) respectively; p = 0.043). Neurological symptoms, such as 'brain zaps,' were more common among SNRI users (p = 0.023). Psychosexual/genitourinary symptoms may be more common among SSRI users (p = 0.054). Limitations The website aims to help people with antidepressant withdrawal, and is therefore likely to attract people who have difficulties. Length of prior use of antidepressants was long, with a mean of 252.2 weeks (SD 250.8). Conclusions People accessing antidepressant withdrawal websites report experiencing protracted withdrawal symptoms. There are some differences in the characteristics of withdrawal associated with different classes of antidepressants.
30 citations
TL;DR: An overview of research findings that can assist in informing the choice of an instrument for practical use is provided, including 10 key questions that researchers, clinicians and other professionals should ask when deciding what tool to use.
Abstract: With the increase in the number of risk assessment tools and clinical algorithms in many areas of science and medicine, this Perspective article provides an overview of research findings that can assist in informing the choice of an instrument for practical use. We take the example of violence risk assessment tools in criminal justice and forensic psychiatry, where there are more than 200 such instruments and their use is typically mandated. We outline 10 key questions that researchers, clinicians and other professionals should ask when deciding what tool to use, which are also relevant for public policy and commissioners of services. These questions are based on two elements: research underpinning the external validation, and derivation or development of a particular instrument. We also recommend some guidelines for reporting drawn from consensus guidelines for research in prognostic models.
28 citations
TL;DR: Re receiving XR-NTX prior to jail release for opioid use disorder appears to increase the treatment retention rate as compared to commencing after release, and support expanded availability of opioid agonist treatments prior to release and other evidence-based supports and retention strategies in the community.
25 citations
TL;DR: A prospective point prevalence study of the prevalence of active Charcot neuro‐inflammatory osteoarthropathy in a circumscribed part of England and to audit the time elapsing between disease onset and first diagnosis is undertaken.
Abstract: Aims To undertake a prospective point prevalence study of the prevalence of active Charcot neuro-inflammatory osteoarthropathy (Charcot disease) in a circumscribed part of England and to audit the time elapsing between disease onset and first diagnosis. Methods The prevalence of active Charcot disease of the foot during a single month was assessed by specialist foot care teams at seven secondary care services in the East Midlands region of England. Results A total of 90 cases were identified, representing 4.3 per 10 000 of the 205 033 total diabetes population of the region. The time elapsed from first presentation to any healthcare professional until diagnosis was also assessed. While the diagnosis was suspected or confirmed in one-third of patients within 2 weeks, it was not made for 2 months or more in 23 patients (24%). Conclusions Non-specialist professionals should have greater awareness of the existence of this uncommon complication of diabetes in the hope that earlier diagnosis will lead to lesser degrees of deformity.
21 citations
TL;DR: Treatment of wild-type mice with TSA in a model of ovalbumin-induced food allergy resulted in a significant attenuation in the development of food allergy symptoms including decreases in allergic diarrhea and mast cell activation.
Abstract: Mast cells are highly versatile cells that perform a variety of functions depending on the immune trigger, context of activation, and cytokine stimulus. Antigen-mediated mast cell responses are regulated by transcriptional processes that result in the induction of numerous genes contributing to mast cell function. Recently, we also showed that exposure to dietary agents with known epigenetic actions such as curcumin can suppress mast cell-mediated food allergy, suggesting that mast cell responses in vivo may be epigenetically regulated. To further assess the effects of epigenetic modifications on mast cell function, we examined the behavior of bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) in response to trichostatin A (TSA) treatment, a well-studied histone deacetylase inhibitor. IgE-mediated BMMC activation resulted in enhanced expression and secretion of IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-13. In contrast, pretreatment with TSA resulted in altered cytokine secretion. This was accompanied by decreased expression of FceRI and mast cell degranulation. Interestingly, exposure to non-IgE stimuli such as IL-33, was also affected by TSA treatment. Furthermore, continuous TSA exposure contributed to mast cell apoptosis and a decrease in survival. Further examination revealed an increase in I-κBα and a decrease in phospho-relA levels in TSA-treated BMMCs, suggesting that TSA alters transcriptional processes, resulting in enhancement of I-κBα transcription and decreased NF-κB activation. Lastly, treatment of wild-type mice with TSA in a model of ovalbumin-induced food allergy resulted in a significant attenuation in the development of food allergy symptoms including decreases in allergic diarrhea and mast cell activation. These data therefore suggest that the epigenetic regulation of mast cell activation during immune responses may occur via altered histone acetylation, and that exposure to dietary substances may induce epigenetic modifications that modulate mast cell function.
TL;DR: A body of work on the mechanism of neurodegenerative diseases based on oxidative stress and cell death pathways is reviewed with emphasis on the role of PERK.
Abstract: Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, prion disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, are a dissimilar group of disorders that share a hallmark feature of accumulation of abnormal intraneuronal or extraneuronal misfolded/unfolded protein and are classified as protein misfolding disorders. Cellular and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress activates multiple signaling cascades of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Consequently, translational and transcriptional alterations in target gene expression occur in response directed toward restoring the ER capacity of proteostasis and reestablishing the cellular homeostasis. Evidences from in vitro and in vivo disease models indicate that disruption of ER homeostasis causes abnormal protein aggregation that leads to synaptic and neuronal dysfunction. However, the exact mechanism by which it contributes to disease progression and pathophysiological changes remains vague. Downstream signaling pathways of UPR are fully integrated, yet with diverse unexpected outcomes in different disease models. Three well-identified ER stress sensors have been implicated in UPR, namely, inositol requiring enzyme 1, protein kinase RNA-activated-like ER kinase (PERK), and activating transcription factor 6. Although it cannot be denied that each of the involved stress sensor initiates a distinct downstream signaling pathway, it becomes increasingly clear that shared pathways are crucial in determining whether or not the UPR will guide the cells toward adaptive prosurvival or proapoptotic responses. We review a body of work on the mechanism of neurodegenerative diseases based on oxidative stress and cell death pathways with emphasis on the role of PERK.
TL;DR: Treatment for HCV with all-oral, highly effective direct-acting antiviral medication for 12 weeks or less is now the standard of care, putting renewed focus on effective delivery of care.
Abstract: For over a decade, the vast majority of new hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections have been among young people who inject drugs (PWID). Well-characterized gaps in chronic HCV diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment have resulted in fewer than 5% of PWID receiving HCV treatment. While interferon-based treatment may have intentionally been foregone during part of this time in anticipation of improved oral therapies, the overall pattern points to deficiencies and treatment exclusions in the health care system. Treatment for HCV with all-oral, highly effective direct-acting antiviral medication for 12 weeks or less is now the standard of care, putting renewed focus on effective delivery of care. We describe here both the need for and process of chronic HCV care under the roof of addiction medicine.
TL;DR: This review is concerned with cardiac malfunction as a result of an imbalance in protein proteostasis, the homeostatic balance between protein removal and regeneration in a long remodeling process involving the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the unfolded protein response (UPR).
Abstract: This review is concerned with cardiac malfunction as a result of an imbalance in protein proteostasis, the homeostatic balance between protein removal and regeneration in a long remodeling process involving the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the unfolded protein response (UPR). The importance of this is of special significance with regard to cardiac function as a high energy requiring muscular organ that has a high oxygen requirement and is highly dependent on mitochondria. The importance of mitochondria is not only concerned with high energy dependence on mitochondrial electron transport, but it also has a role in the signaling between the mitochondria and the ER under stress. Proteins made in the ER are folded as a result of sulfhydryl groups (-SH) and attractive and repulsive reactions in the tertiary structure. We discuss how this matters with respect to an imbalance between muscle breakdown and repair in a stressful environment, especially as a result of oxidative and nitrosative byproducts of mitochondrial activity. The normal repair is a remodeling, but under this circumstance, the cell undergoes or even lysosomal "self eating" autophagy, or even necrosis instead of apoptosis. We shall discuss the relationship of the UPR pathway to chronic congestive heart failure (CHF).
TL;DR: This work considers how to incorporate group fairness constraints into kernel regression methods, applicable to Gaussian processes, support vector machines, neural network regression and decision tree regression, and shows that the order of complexity of memory and computation is preserved for such models.
Abstract: Fairness, through its many forms and definitions, has become an important issue facing the machine learning community. In this work, we consider how to incorporate group fairness constraints in kernel regression methods, applicable to Gaussian processes, support vector machines, neural network regression and decision tree regression. Further, we focus on examining the effect of incorporating these constraints in decision tree regression, with direct applications to random forests and boosted trees amongst other widespread popular inference techniques. We show that the order of complexity of memory and computation is preserved for such models and tightly bound the expected perturbations to the model in terms of the number of leaves of the trees. Importantly, the approach works on trained models and hence can be easily applied to models in current use and group labels are only required on training data.
TL;DR: This will be the first randomised controlled trial that will provide valuable evidence for the efficacy and safety of IL-1 blockade for treatment in pustular psoriasis and gain proof-of-concept data prior to completing a powered efficacy trial.
Abstract: Palmoplantar pustulosis is a rare but painful and debilitating disease It consistently ranks the highest of all psoriasis phenotypic variants in terms of symptoms and functional impairment Management of plaque-type psoriasis has been revolutionised in the last 10 years with the advent of biologic therapies, but treatment options for pustular psoriasis remain profoundly limited On the basis of mechanistic findings which suggest a key pathogenic role for interleukin (IL)-1 in pustular psoriasis, we hypothesise that anakinra (IL-1 blockade) will be an efficacious treatment for pustular psoriasis We will conduct a two-stage, adaptive, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial to test the hypothesis that anakinra, self-administered daily by subcutaneous injection over 8 weeks, will deliver therapeutic benefit in palmoplantar pustular psoriasis, a localised form of pustular psoriasis typically involving the palms and/or soles Safety outcomes will be collected for 20 weeks A total of 64 participants will be randomised to anakinra or placebo in a 1:1 ratio At the end of stage 1, a decision to progress to stage 2 will be made This decision will take place after 24 participants have been randomised and followed for 8 weeks and will be based on the ordering of the observed mean outcome values in both treatment arms At the end of stage 1, the reliability of outcome measurements and method to collect the data will also be assessed, and the primary outcome will be confirmed for stage 2 We have undertaken an adaptive approach in which we will gain proof-of-concept data prior to completing a powered efficacy trial because pustular psoriasis is a rare disease, no validated outcome measures to detect change exist, and limited safety data for anakinra exist in this population To our knowledge, this will be the first randomised controlled trial that will provide valuable evidence for the efficacy and safety of IL-1 blockade for treatment in pustular psoriasis ISRCTN13127147 Registered on 1st August 2016 EudraCT, 2015-003600-23 Registered on 1st April 2016
TL;DR: It is suggested that adding in-home uncluttering sessions to the Buried in Treasures Workshop is feasible and effective, and reduction in hoarding symptoms, clutter, and impairment of daily activities are observed.
TL;DR: This article gives a broad overview of implementing a value-based model in mental health care, the significant development resources needed, organizational issues, and finally concludes with the benefits and a vision of value- basedmental health care for the future.
Abstract: Health-care companies around the world face an unprecedented challenge of rising health-care costs, increasing life expectancy and escalating demand. Although national health-care budgets have increased (as a percentage of gross domestic product) health care continues to impart significant upward pressure on national expenditure, particularly in the UK ( Licchetta and Stelmach, 2016 ). Additionally a substantial funding gap will continue to grow ( Gainsbury, 2016 ). In response to this challenge a 'value' based strategy has gained momentum over the last two decades. Several pioneers of this approach (Sir Muir Gray at Oxford University, Professor Michael Porter at Harvard University and Professor Elizabeth Teisberg at Dell Medical School) emphasize the importance of organizations focusing on 'value'. Porter and Teisberg (2006) highlight the 'value equation' as obtaining the very best patient outcomes for each unit of currency spent. Gray expands on this model, describing three types of value: allocative, technical and personal ( Gray, 2011 ). Although some global health-care organizations have embraced the value-based agenda to transform acute care facilities, mental health providers have been slow to consider the benefits of this approach. This article gives a broad overview of implementing a value-based model in mental health care, the significant development resources needed, organizational issues, and finally concludes with the benefits and a vision of value-based mental health care for the future.
TL;DR: The mechanism of β2-microglobulin amyloidogenesis is examined using the unique method of isothermal titration calorimetry-based thermodynamic/kinetic measurements, and the energy landscape of polymorphic amyloidsogenesis under biological environment-mimicking conditions including shear forces and crowding effects is revealed.
TL;DR: The VPC-14 is a 14-item scale demonstrating good psychometric properties, quick and easy to administer, considers views of both staff and patients and thus can be introduced as standard practice in a ward setting and is currently the most robust available measure of the inpatient violence prevention climate.
TL;DR: Taylor and Francis as discussed by the authors published an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Material Religion, on 19 April 2018, available online at: https://doi.org/10.1080/17432200.2018.1443892.
Abstract: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Material Religion, on 19 April 2018, available online at: https://doi.org/10.1080/17432200.2018.1443892. Under embargo until 19 October 2019.
TL;DR: It is argued that the enactments of reciprocity and other spiritual components of Kichwa-Lamista bioculture constitute an alternative to permaculture’s rootedness in scientific, materialist, and universalist traditions, which ultimately treat the natural world as other.
Abstract: This article compares Western permaculture theory and practice with the indigenous agricultural system of the Kichwa-Lamistas in the Department of San Martin in High Amazon Peru. It draws on indige...
TL;DR: This paper presents a novel signalling mechanism among different users, devices and networks to offer multi-party video conferencing using various topologies at the same time, as well as other typical features such as using the same server, determining room initiator, keeping the communication active even if the initiator or another peer leaves, etc.
Abstract: WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) is a technology that enables browser-to-browser communication. Therefore, a signalling mechanism must be negotiated to create a connection between peers. The main aim of this paper is to create and implement a WebRTC hybrid signalling mechanism named (WebNSM) for video conferencing based on the Socket.io (API) mechanism and Firefox. WebNSM was designed over a combination of different topologies, such as simplex, star and mesh. Therefore it offers several communications at the same time as one-to-one (unidirectional/bidirectional), one-to-many (unidirectional) and many-to-many (bi-directional) without any downloading or installation. In this paper, WebRTC video conferencing was accomplished via LAN and WAN networks, including the evaluation of resources in WebRTC like bandwidth consumption, CPU performance, memory usage, Quality of Experience (QoE) and maximum links and RTPs calculation. This paper presents a novel signalling mechanism among different users, devices and networks to offer multi-party video conferencing using various topologies at the same time, as well as other typical features such as using the same server, determining room initiator, keeping the communication active even if the initiator or another peer leaves, etc. This scenario highlights the limitations of resources and the use of different topologies for WebRTC video conferencing.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compared secluded and non-secluded Asperger's data from low and medium secure service providers in the United Kingdom (n =347) and found that the use of seclusion is controversial.
Abstract: The use of seclusion is controversial. Using routinely collected data from low and medium secure service provider in the United Kingdom (n = 347) this study compared secluded and non-secluded Asper...
01 Jan 2018
TL;DR: In this article, the concept of innovativeness and creativity from the perspective of nature and nurture is described, and the basic concepts influencing the innovation and creativity are described from the human nature and educational point of view.
Abstract: The paper describes the concept of innovativeness and creativity 10 from the perspective of nature and nurture. There is the description of basic 11 concepts influencing the innovativeness and creativity from the human nature and 12 educational point of view. 13
TL;DR: An overview of the condition, including incidence, classification, aetiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations and symptom management is provided, which could help to reduce the risk of mortality associated with it.
Abstract: Epilepsy is a global health problem affecting approximately 50 million people worldwide. It is one of the most common chronic neurological diseases in the world and has serious physical, economic and discriminatory consequences in some parts of the world. However, the healthcare burden and financial cost of treating epilepsy can be reduced with appropriate, prompt interventions. Epilepsy and its treatment are complex, and the evidence suggests knowledge of seizure classification is insufficient and there are gaps in epilepsy diagnosis and care. This article provides an overview of the condition, including incidence, classification, aetiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations and symptom management. Better knowledge about the management of epilepsy could help to reduce the risk of mortality associated with it.
01 Jan 2018
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe an analysis of the current educational processes from the perspective of encouraging or discouraging innovativeness and creativity and analyzes the factors either promoting or limiting creativity in the workplace and everyday life.
Abstract: The paper describes an analysis of the current educational processes 12 from the perspective of encouraging or discouraging innovativeness and 13 creativity. The paper also analyzes the factors either promoting or limiting 14 innovativeness and creativity in the workplace and everyday life. The conclusions 15 include suggestions for creating an innovativeness friendly atmosphere which 16 tolerates failures and celebrates successes. This type of culture and environment 17 promote economic growth. 18
27 Dec 2018
TL;DR: The Raman method described here represents an improvement on previously reported work, in that it can be easily applied on-line and is approximately 500 times faster.
Abstract: Raman spectroscopy has been used to provide a rapid, noninvasive, and nondestructive quantification method for determining the parahydrogen fraction of hydrogen gas. The basis of the method is the measurement of the ratio of the first two rotational bands of hydrogen at 355 cm−1 and 586 cm−1 corresponding to parahydrogen and orthohydrogen, respectively. The method has been used to determine the parahydrogen content during a production process and a reaction. In the first example, the performance of an in-house liquid nitrogen cooled parahydrogen generator was monitored both at-line and on-line. The Raman measurements showed that it took several hours for the generator to reach steady state and, hence, for maximum parahydrogen production (50%) to be reached. The results obtained using Raman spectroscopy were compared to those obtained by at-line low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. While the results were in good agreement, Raman analysis has several advantages over NMR for this applicat...